With rehabilitation work almost complete, Inmet Mining (IMN-T) expects its 55% owned Cayeli copper-zinc mine in Turkey to return to full capacity by the end of the first quarter of 2003.
Initially, the company plans to resume underground production from the lower levels at 50% of capacity during the week of Dec. 9.
On October 25, Cayeli experienced a series of ground falls in south section of the upper levels of the mine. The damage occurred after the failure of an ore pillar. The mine’s shaft, located in the more competent footwall, was unaffected. There were no injuries or damage to equipment or mine infrastructure.
Production was suspended to allow for rehabilitation work on the impacted areas, including the main access ramp, which has progressed far enough to allow it to reopen to traffic.
The company has come up with new ground control measures, including shifting new development and infrastructure into the footwall and adjusting its mining sequence.
Cayeli had been expected to treat more than 1 million tonnes of ore to produce 38,000 tonnes copper for the year. Cayeli’s zinc production had been pegged at 38,000 tonnes, down from the original target of 43,000 tonnes.
Inmet’s shares were trading 30 higher at $5.50 in mid-afternoon trade in Toronto on Nov. 29.
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